Police Arrest Bank Robbery Suspect Covered In Red Dye In Center City
By Mark Abrams
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Philadelphia police say a bandit robbed the Republic Bank at 1601 Market Street about 11:45 this morning, but was handed cash by a teller that contained an exploding dye pack.
Police say the bandit ran out of the bank and the dye pack exploded at 17th and Market Streets, scattering money and a red dye onto the street, as well as on the suspect.
Police alerted SEPTA and Amtrak police immediately, thinking he might try to go underground to escape.
Within 20 minutes of the heist, police arrested a suspect at 18th and Callowhill Streets in connection with the robbery. He was later identified as Christian Stephens, 30, of the 4500 block of North Darien Street.
Police did not immediately say whether the Stephens had any of the money on him or dropped it when the dye pack exploded. He is being charged with robbery and related crimes.
No one was injured in the bank.
